A17385:1567
A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St.…A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle generall of St.…
A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St. Peter Wherein are most judiciously and profitably handled such points of doctrine as naturally flow from the text. Together with a very useful application thereof: and many good rules for a godly life. By Nicholas Byfield preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex. To which is now newly added an alphabetical table, not formerly published.A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle generall of St. Peter VVherin are most judiciously and profitably handled such points of doctrine as naturally flow from the text. Together with a very usefull application thereof: and many good rules for a godly life. By Nicholas Byfield preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex. To which is now newly added an alphabeticall table, not formerly published.
London: printed by Miles Flesher and Robert Young, 1637
Exposition of chapter 1 › Verse 16. Because it is written, be ye holy as I am holy.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Here I consider, 1. Of the use of the Scriptures in general for proof of doctrine. 2. Of the Scripture of the Old testament from whence this proof is fetched.
Here I consider, 1. Of the use of the Scriptures in generall for proofe of doctrine. 2. Of the Scripture of the Old •estament from whence this proofe is fetched.
For the first: Proofs of doctrine are of three sorts. 1. From men as they are men. 2. From the senses. 3. From God. The first is not infallible: the second is infallible in some respects: the third is infallible simply & for ever. The testimonies of men work only opinion, as being but Arguments contingent and probable. The testimonies of the senses and of God work knowledge, or bring arguments necessary. Hence it is that the Prophets, and Christ, and the Apostles in their teaching amongst the people almost never use any testimonies of men in matters of religion; and when they do, it is chiefly for confutation of adversaries by their own writers.
For the first: Proofes of doctrine are of three sorts. 1. From men as they are men. 2. From the senses. 3. From God. The first is not infallible: the second is infallible in some respects: the third is infallible simply & for ever. The testimonies of men work onely opinion, as being but Arguments contengent and probable. The testimonies of the senses and of God work knowledg, or bring arguments necessary. Hence it is that the Prophets, and Christ, and the Apostles in their teaching amongst the people almost never use any testimonies of men in matters of religion; and when they doe, it is chiefly for confutation of adversaries by their owne writers.
Now for the senses: they are internal, or external. Internal, and so there is a double testimony, 1. from the law of nature, 2. from the conscience. The external are seeing, hearing, tasting, &c. and the argument from them is from experience. The testimony of the senses is infallible in some respects, viz. as they are rightly ordered and guided.